title: A pilot study of a chiropractic intervention for management of chronic myofascial temporomandibular disorder.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Temporomandibular pain has multiple etiologies and a range of therapeutic options. In this pilot study, the authors assessed the feasibility of conducting a larger trial to evaluate chiropractic treatment of temporomandibular disorders (TMDs).
  
  
  METHODS
  The authors assigned 80 participants randomly into one of the following four groups, all of which included a comprehensive self-care program: reversible interocclusal splint therapy (RIST), Activator Method Chiropractic Technique (AMCT) (Activator Methods International, Phoenix), sham AMCT and self-care only. They made assessments at baseline and at month 2 and month 6, including use of the Research Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The authors screened 721 potential participants and enrolled 80 people; 52 participants completed the six-month assessment. The adjusted mean change in current pain over six months, as assessed on the 11-point numerical rating scale, was 2.0 (95 percent confidence interval, 1.1-3.0) for RIST, 1.7 (0.9-2.5) for self-care only, 1.5 (0.7-2.4) for AMCT and 1.6 (0.7-2.5) for sham AMCT. The authors also assessed bothersomeness and functionality.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The authors found the study design and methodology to be manageable. They gained substantial knowledge to aid in conducting a larger study. AMCT, RIST and self-care should be evaluated in a future comparative effectiveness study.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This pilot study was a necessary step to prepare for a larger study that will provide clinicians with information that should be helpful when discussing treatment options for patients with TMD.
authors.affiliation: Dr. DeVocht is an associate professor, Palmer Center for Chiropractic Research, Palmer College of Chiropractic, Davenport, Iowa.
authors.forename: James W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: DeVocht
authors.forename: Christine M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Goertz
authors.forename: Maria A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Hondras
authors.forename: Cynthia R
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Long
authors.forename: Wally
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Schaeffer
authors.forename: Lauren
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Thomann
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Spector
authors.forename: Clark M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Stanford
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D059350:Chronic Pain / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D005157:Facial Pain / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D026882:Manipulation, Chiropractic / Q000379:methods*; D017090:Occlusal Splints; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012648:Self Care; D013705:Temporomandibular Joint Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: Oral Health Impact Profile; Temporomandibular disorder; chiropractic; chronic pain; randomized controlled trial